The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.

That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.

Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.

For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.

Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

Read full chapter

The faithful have been swept from the land;(A)
    not one(B) upright person remains.
Everyone lies in wait(C) to shed blood;(D)
    they hunt each other(E) with nets.(F)
Both hands are skilled in doing evil;(G)
    the ruler demands gifts,
the judge accepts bribes,(H)
    the powerful dictate what they desire—
    they all conspire together.
The best of them is like a brier,(I)
    the most upright worse than a thorn(J) hedge.
The day God visits you has come,
    the day your watchmen sound the alarm.
    Now is the time of your confusion.(K)
Do not trust a neighbor;
    put no confidence in a friend.(L)
Even with the woman who lies in your embrace
    guard the words of your lips.
For a son dishonors his father,
    a daughter rises up against her mother,(M)
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
    a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.(N)

But as for me, I watch(O) in hope(P) for the Lord,
    I wait for God my Savior;
    my God will hear(Q) me.

Read full chapter